Update 05.19.26 Five months later, and I am still paying interest on the emotional debt of this haircut. Eileen Coria's "weed-whacker assault" has mutated into an unmanageable nightmare that is still too short to professionally tie back. The crooked neckline has grown out into a bizarre hair tail that refuses to blend, making my current daily look best described as a cartoon character. I am updating this review because a truly bad haircut takes months--if not a full year--to grow out, and the consequences don't just disappear when the salon issues a refund. *********************************************************** Avoid Eileen Coria. My December 27, 2025, appointment was a disaster. After the salon failed to notify me prior that my regular stylist was away, co-owner Anna recommended Eileen. I asked for a short bob with long layers. Instead, I got severe asymmetry, one-inch layers that flip out wildly, and a completely crooked neckline. The salon refunded my money, but a refund doesn't fix the emotional toll or the months it will take to grow this out. This cut is structurally ruined and will require expensive corrective appointments to fix. Deeply disappointed. read more

Chose The Attractivators after being priced out of my previous salon (the one with the TimeOut endorsement). Very pleased with the results and will definitely return. As soon as I walked in the door to make the appointment, I knew it was a special place. Comfortable, well-designed, busy without being frantic. The manager was welcoming, personable and listened to my request, asked good questions, gave even better answers. Sam, who I picked from the website bio's, was on board with pruning my outgrown, thick hair. She improved on the basic cut and made my hair swing. Sam knows HT cut hair, understands proportion and face structure, and applies her knowledge of making art to create a great look for me. The checkout/reschedule was hassle-free and unhurried. It looks like everyone in the shop takes turns at the front desk as needed. A detail like that tells a lot about how a business is run and how employees are treated. In this case, respected and valued. I like that the surcharge to services covers insurance for employees. Proof that this small business knows how to keep good people. Again, excellent overall experience and kudos to Sam, the owners and the rest of the staff. read more

I'll preface my review by saying that I came to this salon to be a hair model for an apprentice who is just starting out. I have done this numerous times in various salons & I am generally a low maintenance person who is not super particular or fussy about my hair, thus my willingness to volunteer in these situations. These experiences usually turn out ok & I'll usually walk away satisfied and at worst disappointed but able to live with it. This time, however, was a complete and utter disaster & I can honestly say THE worst experience that I've ever had in a salon in my life. I went in requesting a bob cut just above my shoulders with long layers so that it wasn't just super blunt. I have thicker, naturally wavy hair & did not want it to look too full, bulky, or rounded. I showed the stylist multiple pictures of some nice styles like this where the layers are very subtle, blended & "invisible", so it looks primarily all one length, but sort of more relaxed. She seemed to get what I was looking for. I should also mention that every time I got my hair cut as a model before, the instructor was very much involved - they would speak to me about & see what I wanted for themselves & have a whole sort of consultation with the stylist before they started. This was not the case this time. The instructor came over very briefly & didn't speak to me at all. The stylist basically just told her the overall thing she was going to do & that was it. I think this was really unprofessional on part of the instructor. And she gave the stylist no real guidance whatsoever. The stylist was very talkative, but I don't think this did her or me any favors though because she prob. should've been really focused on her work, esp. since she clearly didn't know what she was doing. Somewhere along the way, I saw that she had cut SUPER short layers around the top of my head. (The hair is only about 2-3 in. long at it's shortest length). Now I tend to zone out a little bit when getting my hair cut & trust the person to do their thing (my mistake), so I only really registered how horrendous this was toward the end. I kid you not, it looked like that hideous Carol Brady/Florence Henderson mullet style but way worse. The short layers on top look as though they were cut very bluntly & straight across (not blended at all) & my hair poofs out so much, so it looks like a bowl or hair helmet. Once I started to pay close attention, I noticed that she exhibited no professional technique whatsoever & showed no real care or precision. It looked to me like she was literally taking chunks of my hair at random & just hacking away at it with the scissors in the most haphazard way possible. I could only look in the mirror in complete shock & disbelief, as I had never seen such a disastrous haircut before. I begged her not to cut my hair any shorter & I'm sure she sensed my displeasure at this point as she attempted to assure me that she was now just trying to blend these layers (though it also seemed clear that she realized she had gotten in over her head & didn't know what to do). She then went to get the instructor to "see if she could fix it". The instructor then came over & proceeded to cut at my hair in the exact random, slipshod way the stylist did. Omg! Now I'm usually a reserved type person, but at this point, I had had it! I was so beyond upset as I watched her make things even worse - I told them to just STOP cutting and that I just wanted to leave. And so that's what I did. Also, since my phone battery unfortunately died, I only realized after I left that I had been at the salon for 3 1/2 - 4 hours (!!). It usually takes longer when a student is cutting your hair, but I have never spent more than 2 hours at a salon & how it took that long for her to do this to my hair is beyond me. And in all that time, I was never even offered a drink of water or anything. Afterward, I had to go to another salon to have someone try to fix it. The experience was like night & day and they were great. The person I saw concurred that it was a total disaster (as did my family & friends). She referred to it as a bowl and said it looked like I had a mullet that had grown out a bit, ugh! They tried, but could only do so much w/ it, so it's still a hot mess. It has been extremely difficult, frustrating, time consuming, & impossible to deal with my hair since and make it look at all presentable - it drives me up the wall constantly, so the only thing I can do at this point is wait for it to grow out, which cannot happen soon enough. I know that I took a chance going into this situation, so that's on me, but still I get angry, upset & depressed all over again every time I have to look in the mirror or do anything with it. I can't help but feel more self-conscious & insecure and I've become more withdrawn too, so needless to say, this was a truly terrible experience. read more

Went to Attractivators and received an amazing haircut . The stylist/Ant listened to what I wanted and achieved it perfectly. My hair cut looks amazing. Ant is a great stylist!!!!! read more

This place is a one of a kind. The salon is so inviting and everyone is so genuinely kind and accommodating. Rachel, my excellent stylist moved out of town and I was referred to Cam, who is such a pleasant person and a very competent stylist. Everyone who goes to this salon thinks they have the best stylist, because my impression is that all of them are simply fantastic. I've been coming here for 3 years and don't want to try any other place in Chicago. Ever! read more

Came here for the first time today. I've had the same person cut my hair for about 10 years at a different salon. So I was nervous to try a new salon and stylist. Front desk was super friendly and welcoming. Cam did an amazing job on my thick hair. She checked in with me throughout my service to make sure I was comfortable and happy with what she did. I appreciated her empathy, stylist skills, and scalp massage. I will definitely be returning and made several appointments to come back. read more

I came here for a free haircut by an apprentice so I suppose this review is not really for the salon. My hair before this cut was already pretty short and when I saw they were looking for models for a one length above the shoulder cut, I thought it would be a great opportunity for a trim. When air dried my hair is very wavy and the apprentice asked me what length I was going for. I let her know I wanted it to fall below my chin and even showed her about where I was thinking. I assumed she would take the hair pattern into consideration. After a few snips, I realized that it was definitely well above the length we had discussed. I should've said something at this point, but there wasn't really any turning back. I can acknowledge that as students they learn through practice but I still think there should be some consideration to what the person in the chair consented to. Objectively, the haircut was good but it just is not what I wanted and it doesn't flatter me at all. It's well above my chin when blow dried straight and even shorter with my natural texture. Also it's so heavy at the bottom it just fans out. I hesitated to post this because my stylist was a student but I feel like feedback is still important. Other than the cut, they were very pleasant. read more

Y'all...love this place. Supporting women-owned business give me life. Meaghan is an actual miracle worker. I came in after years of using box-dye with the sole purpose of looking as close to a poison-dart frog as possible after I escaped a soul-sucking corporate prison to start my own business. Meaghan has since done a galactic purple and a siren-teal, all while keeping my curly hair healthy. The cut is also amazing and so well done...finding someone that can style curly hair well is like finding a unicorn in the wild. The salon is kept immaculately clean, everyone is incredibly friendly and they are following all precautions. read more

The Attractivators - Children think I'm fae and I'm for it. - Hair Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been seeing Payton for a few years now, but she outdid herself today. I came in with a vague idea of what I wanted and she gave me the most beautiful unicorn hair. Everyone is so nice and welcoming there too. Love love love. read more

The Attractivators - Top layer of purple with teal, pink, and purple underneath - Hair Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is the best experience I have had at a salon in Chicago! I reactivated my Yelp account just to write this review! You're greeted immediately upon walking in. Very cozy, hip decor! The manager made sure I was comfortable until Valerie was ready to see me. They have plenty of complementary snacks and drinks to choose from. I saw Val and she really listens to your concerns and makes your wishes come true. I have long hair and I always dread getting my hair brushed out after being shampooed but she knew what products to use so it was a breeze. The sinks are very comfortable and you don't get a sore neck afterwards. I wanted bangs and Val told me step by step how to style them and blow dry them. No pressure to buy product but I found a great dry shampoo powder that I can't wait to try! They just want to make you feel great about yourself and your hair! I left feeling amazing and I cannot get enough compliments on my hair! I can't say enough but I know I found my home salon! read more

The Attractivators - Hair Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love, love, love. I cut my hair and went grey during Covid, and yes it looked exactly like you thought. At my sisters insistence I made an appointment with Anna. I had to wait, but who doesn't right now, and it gave my hair time to grow ;). I almost cancelled because I didn't want to deal with a new snobby place. To say I love it is an understatement. Price point - spot on. Products . I am a product junkies and love great products. They gave me a sample on one I wasn't sure about. Besides my RAD hair, I gotta say it was the most RAD customer service. The place is as friendly as spotless. No judging on my self haircut, laughter and a solid game plan. You know you have a great cut when you walk in the grocery store with your mask on and get compliments. read more

I had an excellent hair cut, blow out service from Samantha this morning. Thank you!!!

I just got my hair cut from Alyssa for the first time and my hair looks fantastic! I have thick medium length hair and she took out the right amount of bulk and added really nice layers to frame my face. I think Alyssa gave me the best hair cut that I can remember and I have gone to a lot of hairdressers. She really knew how my hair would work well with certain hair products and gave me great advice to how to take care of it. By the way the shampooing before my hair cut soooo.... relaxing. The products they do use and sell at the salon are high quality. I ended up getting the Davines OI Oil which is has locally sourced ingredients from Italy. The Attractivators hair salon has such a great calm vibe to it. Everyone was so welcoming and not pretentious. If your looking for a new hair salon I would definite recommend The Attractivators and book hair appointment with Alyssa. read more

Had such a wonderful experience at The Attractivators! The name may be a little funky but these stylists are no joke! I found the salon and Alyssa after doing some research online trying to find a place to get my hair cut close to my new apartment in Ravenswood. Lucky for me, The Attractivators is close to my house and a quick walk from the Damen and Montrose brown line stops and the Ravenswood (UP-N) Metra stop, super convenient! Making an appointment was quick and easy. They always send a confirmation email with your appointment date and time so you have the info handy and you don't have to rely on your memory! My first time meeting Alyssa, I mentioned I wanted bangs. I haven't had bangs in years and didn't know how short to go and was a little on the fence about making the change. She put me at ease and helped me to figure out what would look best for me based on my hair pattern. Many stylists I've had in the past have steered me away from bangs for reasons never clear to me, but I truly think it's because making bangs look good on someone takes a lot of time and skill! Alyssa was willing to put in the work and made me feel great about my decision. Alyssa is also a very affordable stylist. There are plenty of people who want a quality cut without breaking the bank and Alyssa delivers. I went back to The Attractivators earlier this week for a bang trimming with Alyssa, since it's been a few weeks since my original cut. Just like my first cut, Alyssa took the time with me to find the right length for my bangs and didn't rush, even though bang trimming is FREE! Would highly recommend Alyssa and the whole Attractivators team! read more

After years of searching, I have finally found my place and my person! Alyssa took one look at my hair and knew exactly what to do with my blonde (which has slowly morphed from highlights to all-over). She did such a nice job on the color, and gave me a fresh new cut that was slightly different than what I expected but I love. You can tell she knows and cares a lot about hair. The entire staff was friendly, the place is adorable and as others have mentioned, they're stocked with complimentary beer/wine/coffee/tea, which is a nice perk. Excited to go back for my next touch-up! read more

This was my first time in a salon in MANY years. I had a cut from a trainee, with the owner's supervision. Seriously, the best cut I've had in over ten years, and I will be back!! Their process was impressive; they really took the time to understand the texture of my hair. And they didn't try to push me to purchase products. read more

I contacted The Attractivators based on the reviews and a few friends who recommended them. I am so happy with this cut. Anna took the time to work with my natural texture to give me an easy to style cut (I'm a new mom, so the easier the better!) that makes me feel like I'm more than just a mom these days. The entire staff is welcoming and kind. Every stylist looked happy to be their and their clients all did too! They also handled a minor issue I had with grace and understanding -- you can tell they care very much about their work and their clients. Highly recommend. I saw both Alyssa and Anna. Both wonderful stylists. Also the product line they use is AMAZING and they offer complimentary bevvies to clients. They also have a dog. Definitely recommend and definitely returning! read more

The Attractivators - Hair Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've come to this salon a few times to buy products, and everyone has always been so nice and helpful making recommendations. Yesterday I made a last minute appointment to fix a little hair snafu I had. I was lucky enough to pick up a cancelled appointment with Alyssa. Once again, everyone was so nice and accommodating. Even when things ran a little late, they made sure to communicate it with me which I really appreciated. When I got there, Alyssa took the time to listen to me and also made her own assessment of how to move forward with the cut. She made sure I was comfortable with the final decision. She was so sweet and helpful, and she did such an amazing job that I'm so happy I took a chance on coming in. It's always tough trying a new place, but seriously, don't hesitate to try out The Attractivators! read more

This was a new experience trying to find a new stylist that would match the expert skills of our treasured stylist and friend who moved out of town. We were surprised and pleased to find that Val did exactly that ! She listened, looked and gave us exactly what we were looking for. Ro abr Curt read more

I love coming here and having Alyssa as my stylist! It is a super great location in ravenswood on Wilson, and a relaxing atmosphere. Alyssa is fantastic and incredibly detailed with her cut and color, I've had nothing but positive experiences, I always leave with very beautiful hair! Also, they serve complimentary refreshments ... how can you lose?! read more

Alyssa brought me from a faded dirty blonde balayage to a beautiful bright platinum! She really took the time to examine my hair and apply the bleach so as to make sure the end result was perfectly even despite my very grown out roots. The whole process was very relaxing and I knew I was in good hands. I can't stop looking at my hair and am constantly getting complements on it. Thank you so much, Alyssa! read more

The Attractivators - Platinum blonde by Alyssa, I love it! - Hair Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place is everything I want in a hair salon and more. Great quality. Great products. Women owned! Kick ass people running the salon. I love Meaghan so much. She made my hair normal and even beautiful after months of quarantine! Looking forward to my next appointment. Local Lincoln square ladies (all who identify as such!) this place is for you. You'll feel safe and beautiful! read more

I could not be happier with my experience here! I have wanted a pixie cut since I was a kid, but was always too afraid to cut my long hair. After finally working up the courage to get the cut, I did a lot of research before settling on The Attractivators. I'm so glad I did! Anna did my cut and highlights and did an amazing job--no surprise, she rocks a fierce pixie cut herself. I showed Anna pictures and described what I was looking for, and it turned out EXACTLY how I wanted it. Anna also gave me some great tips on how to style my new 'do and offered complimentary bang trims in between cuts. The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming, probably one of the best haircut experiences I've had overall. I can't wait to go back for more cuts and coloring and I cannot recommend this place enough! read more

I have been meaning to leave a review because everyone needs to know how amazing Anna is. I had long hair for years and recently decided to cut it all off. At the recommendation of my coworker, I saw Anna to do the big chop and I could not have been happier! She somehow gave me the exact haircut I was looking for despite my instructions being pretty vague. I don't think I'd ever left a salon fully happy before going to Anna. At my next appointment, I asked to get a streak of purple in my hair and she did an amazing job at that as well, even though I was that client that walked in to a cut and single process color appointment and asked for an additional fantasy color (with additional processing time). The prices are very reasonable, especially since Anna is one of the owners (and usually owner prices are very high). If you're looking for the best short haircut in Chicago, go to Anna! Also, the atmosphere is amazing and they have beer and wine available for clients which is incredible. read more

The Attractivators - Anna did an amazing job chopping all my hair off! - Hair Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have been seeing Valerie for so many years now. And then I heard she was opening up her own salon. You better believe I was going there. Just had my first haircut in this new place and it was fantastic. I even found free parking right out front on the street for 60 minutes or less - which is perfect for my haircuts. I can't hype this place enough. Valerie and her partner and everyone involved with the place are awesome. read more

I came in here for the first time today and Caitlyn the assistant manager and the rest of the staff were so friendly and helpful. They really made me feel welcome and this salon definitely has good vibes, and it's easy to park which is rare for Chicago. I bought a product called overtone. The prices were very good and with the help of the staff, I will definitely be back to buy more overtone when I run out or if I want more colors. read more

I had a great (and super safe) first experience at The Attractivators today. Everyone is super friendly and welcoming, and the salon takes every possible precaution to keep clients safe. I am very, very paranoid about COVID, and this was the only salon I found doing all the right things (ventilation included!!). Valerie gave me a fantastic haircut - my first in about a year - that works perfectly with both my texture (fine and slightly wavy) and my willingness to style it (minimal). I am so happy to have found her and this great, woman-owned salon. I'll definitely be back! read more

Alyssa is amazing! First time at Attractivators, and after a series of sketchy haircuts at other places, Alyssa took the time to get to know my hair and to pick a cut and style that would work for me. She was thoughtful about every product she put in my hair, explaining why she chose them and sent me home with samples. I left with a new style I love and an education on how to style my hair. I have gotten compliments every day since! Attractivators is the place and Alyssa is definitely your gal :) read more

Walked by and saw this adorable salon and decided to give it a try! Absolutely lovely experience! Val did a partial highlight for me and it looks fantastic. Already made my next appointment. And they are working with an amazing product line, looked and smelled great! read more

The Attractivators - Hair Salons Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I am new to the Chicago area and needed to find a new salon. I am so happy to have found The Attractivators and its right in my neighborhood! I had a wonderful haircut with Alyssa. Alyssa was kind, listened and gave me one of the best hair cuts I've ever had! I can tell she really cares about her work. She gave me advice about hair care but didn't push any products on me. Alyssa even gave me a small sample of a product she used on me but I wasn't ready to buy just yet. The salon itself is very hip and everyone is welcoming. They provide free snacks and beverages. Their prices are average for a high end salon. I wish you could make appointments online instead of having to call but that is honestly the only negative I can think of for this salon. Highly recommend! read more

Anna is a short haircut super hero. She devotes attention to the overall look in addition to every single hair. She wants you to feel good about your haircut, strutting out of the salon with the confidence of someone who knows they look great. And she is a colorist superior! Check out The Attractivators! read more

I love supporting local businesses! The salon itself is aesthetically pleasing & the staff are friendly & welcoming. "J.B." was my stylist and she really listened to my needs, talked through the process with me & gave me good hair tips along the way! It was good vibes all around & I will definitely be coming back! read more

I have had the best experiences at The Attractivators! I've had two appointments and have another on the books for this week. I love the vibe of the salon, great location and a stocked wine and snack fridge a the best place for an after work relaxing hair appointment! And Meaghan did an amazing job making me a blonde! Would recommend! read more

I've been seeing Alyssa for almost a year now and I'm always impressed at how detail oriented she is. I'm terrible at describing what I want, but she always nails it. She takes time to get everything just right and she's extremely talented. I'm always happy when I leave and their schedule works with mine, which can be hard sometimes. read more

As a guy who used to get quick and cheap $15 haircuts (with predictable results), I started visiting Anna last fall since I wanted to have a real professional work their magic on my flowing locks. I just had my first haircut at the new salon yesterday, and I was extremely impressed with how awesome the place is. Anna did her typical amazing work (as always), but this new spot has an amazing atmosphere. I walked in and was immediately offered something to drink (not just water - beer and wine are available too!) along with a cookie and/or a brownie while I waited. Hell yeah! After spending a few minutes enjoying these delicacies, I had my hair washed and then came another smashing masterpiece from Anna as she (as usual) did everything possible to change my hairstyle from that of a poindexter to a stud. The nice spacious digs and cool tunes throughout made it all the more enjoyable as well. Already looking forward to my next go-around. read more

I had the best experience at The Attractivators, I'm only mad I waited so long to go! I came in desperate need of a haircut, and Alyssa gave me the best bob EVER! She really took her time and also gave the best head massage I've ever had at a hair salon. I'll be back! read more

Alyssa gave me a fantastic hair cut today. She cut and styled my bangs perfectly and even took the time to show me how to blow dry them. She is super talented and sweet. I will definitely be seeing her again for my next hair cut! read more

I have gone to the same salon for 15 years. Due to my demanding & my stylists demanding schedules, I've been unable to keep an appt.....seeing as I was desperate for a cut & color....I Took a chance & called The Attractivators. Upon walking in I felt the at home, chill vibe. Rachel was my stylist & did an AMAZING job! Professional & current, she really listened to what I wanted & added her personal touch. Rachel used products, specific to my needs. I love, love, love the fresh cut & color. Felt like a million bucks when I left. I even scheduled my next appt. Already. I highly recommend treating yourself! I also, highly recommend Rachel! read more

I normally don't do reviews but I felt that I needed to shout from the rooftops about this place! I went in with no expectations because I don't really have any idea what I ever want done with my hair. That being said Anna and Payton took their time and listened to them exactly what I wanted and asked the right questions to make sure. I had highlights done and walked out feeling amazing. Customer for life!!!! read more

I have fine, low density hair and had resigned myself to uninspired hair cuts for years. Then, while looking for a new stylist, I had the good fortune to make an appointment with J.B.. The rest is History! She has been doing my hair for 4 years now, and it has been an incredibly energizing experience. J.B. has talent, passion and empathy. She knows the latest techniques and trends. She knows what will work with your particular hair, facial structure and skin tone. She is easy to talk to. I love her consultations at the beginning of each appointment to discuss where I'd like to go with my hair and how we can get there. Also, as a hair product fanatic, I can tell you that the Attractivators carries a product line that is the best I have ever found, and J.B. takes care to use the ones that work perfectly with my hair. It is a new experience for me to get compliments on my cut and color, but that happens routinely now. I can't recommend J.B. highly enough. read more